Evening Folks! Here’s today’s summary of sightings from Old Moor…

In the dusty backroom that is Blog HQ, there’s only room for one ancient, metal filing cabinet (the kind that scrapes as you open each drawer). Inside things are organised by date. So, getting ready for tonight’s blog, for example, I can tell you that on 29th January in 2016 there were 14 yellowhammer in the Tree Sparrow Farm.

I know, I know, I need to get out more.

But if I was a betting man, and judging on past years, I’d guess that it won’t be long before we have an early oystercatcher; maybe a redshank or two; perhaps even a ringed plover. This time last year, we had a smew!

Sadly, I could find none of those at Adwick Washland though there were thirty or so other species of bird out there to be enjoyed.

At 10.32, 80 pink-footed geese ribboned their way across the reserve, heading west.

Yes, I did count ‘em

As well as the noise of the geese, the groans and creaks of icy gave a wintery feel to Adwick today.

Four shelduck fed in the open water while another could be found standing on the ice sheet.

Lapwing stood about nervously but with a buzzard in a nearby tree and another threat even closer, it was easy to see why.

Sparrowhawk surveying the eastern pool at Adwick this morning

‘That’ pale lapwing was there too, feeding to the north of the viewpoint.

Tonight’s bit of ‘armchair birding’ comes from the view to the left of the viewpoint. I reckon there’s seven birds in the following picture, though you might spot more!

Other sightings from Adwick Washland included: Canada geese, greylags, fieldfare, linnet, reed bunting, rook, song thrush, stock dove, teal, wigeon, wren and yellowhammer.

I’ll leave you tonight with one last picture from Adwick. Until next time.

An inquisitive song thrush